We must be getting better at this grant writing thing!

We just received the good word that we received funding from the Neighborhood Partnership Initiative to make a mini-video documentary this summer about CAFAC, the SPEAK Project, and using the arts as a tool to build community! So exciting!

KUDOS!

CAFAC board members Ryan Knoke and Montana Scheff were honored with the Community Education & Advocacy Award at the Heritage Preservation Awards on Thursday for their work in preserving the Central Neighborhood in South Minneapolis.

The awards, given by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, The Minneapolis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and Preserve Minneapolis, honor exemplary projects, individuals and community organizations that celebrate and enhance the heritage and historic character of Minneapolis.

Way to go Ryan and Montana!

A shout out from the Mayor!

Mayor Rybak gave his 2009 State of the City address yesterday. I'd heard rumors that he'd mentioned CAFAC in his speech, but couldn't quite believe it. Turns out it's all true! In the section about building a home-grown economy, he mentions three new development projects financed by City loans, including ours. Just one little quibble - he referred to us as the Chicago Avenue FINE Arts Center, when really we're the FIRE Arts Center. But I guess that's better than Fire ANTS Center...

Thanks, Mayor Rybak and the City of Minneapolis!

It occurs to me that I should clarify what the financing arrangements with the City are, so there's no confusion about how our project is proceeding. The City acquired our building last year using its Capital Acquisition Revolving Fund (aka CARF) with the intention of selling it to Artspace Projects, who will in turn lease the building to CAFAC. Artspace is currently in the process of arranging financing for the building acquisition; once that is finalized, that money will be returned to CARF so that it can finance other projects. When will this all happen? Well, we wish we had a firm date, but we don't. We're planning on 3-6 months of renovation once Artspace takes possession of the building, so we are hoping our doors will be open in the fall.

Some exciting news to report today, folks. We just received word that we received a very generous grant from the Pohlad Family Foundation that will be used towards our equipment budget for the Center.

Feeling very humbled right now. There are certainly times when bringing all the pieces together seems a little overwhelming, but today we took a huge step forward! Hooray!

Thank you Pohald Family!

Make: TV

Last year one of my welded sculpture students, Bill Gurstelle, asked if I would be interested in filming a segment of the pilot for a new show on TPT called Make: TV. umm...yes please. Four blacksmithing students joined me down at the MCTC welding lab for the shoot. In the class, each student builds their own forge to take home. They do all of the welding and fabrication themselves. It's pretty amazing to see people who have never been in a metal shop before, walk out with a smithy of their own in 10 weeks. This brings me great joy.

The TPT team had the new smiths showing off their new forging skills as well as some fabulous paint jobs (this group really got into masking and layering the 1200 degree stove paint we coat the forges with). We had a blast!

The show got the funding it needed to roll out January of this year. It's on TPT 2 Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. You can check it out online too at Make: TV


This amazing program airs nationally and came from our very own Twin Cities creative hotbed. One of the many benefits of having the show based here is we get to be a part of it. The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center will be among the many contributing participants at the Mini Maker Faire going on Saturday March 14, 2009 called Make: Day at the Science Museum of MN.

Come see amazing and innovative makers demonstrate and you can participate as well!

See you there!